Centre puts Bijbehara-Pahalgam, Awantipora-Shopian rail projects on hold over concern for orchards
Srinagar, Feb 3: The Centre has put on hold proposed railway projects in south Kashmir after concerns were raised that the new rail alignments would damage apple orchards, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Tuesday.
The decision has brought relief to residents of Anantnag, Pulwama, and Shopian districts, where farmers and environmentalists had warned that the projects would threaten livelihoods and disrupt ecologically sensitive areas.
Addressing a news conference, Vaishnaw said proposals for constructing two additional rail lines along the Baramulla-Srinagar section were suspended following objections from farmers, elected representatives, and the Jammu and Kashmir government.
ìThere was a demand for two to three more rail sections along the Baramulla-Srinagar rail line, and surveys were conducted,î Vaishnaw said. ìHowever, after concerns were conveyed by Members of Parliament, the government and farmers regarding possible damage to apple orchards, the projects were put on hold, despite the completion of preliminary survey work.î
The proposed Bijbehara-Pahalgam and Awantipora-Shopian rail lines, spanning over 40 km and 27.6 km had been under survey for nearly two years.
The alignments triggered protests in several villages after residents said the tracks would pass through orchards, paddy fields, and built-up rural settlements.
Environmentalists had also raised alarm, arguing that the construction would be detrimental to the regionís fragile ecosystem.
They warned that large-scale excavation, embankments and tree felling could increase soil erosion, destabilise slopes, and pollute fresh water bodies in south Kashmirís riverine and foothill areas.
Both the ruling National Conference (NC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had backed the demand of the locals to halt the projects.
The NC said the suspension followed the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
ìIn a major relief to the people of Anantnag, Pahalgam, and Shopian, the railway project has been put on hold following the timely intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC MPs,î the party said.
Locals welcomed the announcement and credited elected representatives, Members of Parliament and the J&K administration for raising their concerns with the Centre.
ìThis alignment would have destroyed our orchards and paddy fields and snatched our livelihood,î said Abdul Gaffar of Dirhama village in Bijbehara. ìWe are thankful to the Union Railway Minister, our MLAs, MPs, and the J&K government for listening to us and halting the proposal.î
Residents of Wularhama in Pahalgam also expressed relief. ìThe suspension of the rail line is a big relief for small orchardists with limited land holdings,î said Ghulam Muhammad, an orchardist. ìWe are grateful to our representatives for pleading our case.î
Farmers in Pulwama and Shopian echoed similar sentiments. Local horticulturists estimate that between 6 lakh and 7 lakh apple and other fruit trees across nearly a dozen villages including Babhar, Keegam, Chak Niltrisal, Pargoochi, Chak Nazninpora, and Kunsoo would have been felled if the projects had gone ahead.
ìEach kanal of land here has at least 15 to 20 full-grown fruit-bearing apple trees,î said Abdul Rashid Bhat, a grower from Kakapora in Pulwama, whose orchard lay directly along the proposed route. ìMost families own just 2 or 3 kanal land, so todayís announcement is a big relief.î
In Shopian, Kashmirís largest apple-producing district, residents said the projects would have threatened generations-old livelihoods.
ìOur families have depended on orchards for generations,î said Rafiq Ahmad of Pargoochi village, who owns 2 kanal orchard land. ìWe live hand to mouth. Losing this would mean the end of our survival. We thank the legislators and MPs who stood with us.î
Vaishnaw also said railway infrastructure work on the Baramulla-Uri section has been completed and is awaiting approval, while survey and detailed project report work on the proposed Jammu-Rajouri rail line is progressing rapidly.
CM WELCOMES DECISION
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the Railway Ministryís decision to put three projects on halt in the Union Territory, but requested an increase in the frequency and number of coaches of Vande Bharat trains operating between Katra and Srinagar.
Earlier in the day, National Conference MLA from Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmad Wani, informed the J&K Assembly that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had announced the decision to put three railway projects - proposed to connect Srinagar with Pahalgam and Shopian - on hold, and lauded the efforts of the chief minister in this regard.
ìRegarding the railway lines, there was no specific public demand for these routes. The road conditions there are good, and proper highways have already been built. The routes that were proposed for these railway lines were passing through our productive orchards and tourist areas, particularly towards Pahalgam.
ìElected representatives from those areas, MLAs, and local residents met me and said that this railway line would not benefit them; instead, it would cause them losses. They asked me to convey this concern to the Centre,î CM Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a function here this evening. Abdullah said he discussed the matter with the railway minister on couple of times and told him to assess it personally.
ìI said that if the intention is to take the railway via Pahalgam to Ladakh or to connect Rajouri-Poonch through Shopian, then we can agree to that. But if the railway line merely touches Pahalgam and Shopian without serving any real demand, then it will not be of much use. Instead, it will only lead to the acquisition of our valuable land,î he said.
To his credit, the CM said he understood the sentiments of the people, and the projects have been put on hold.
ìThis matter was examined thoroughly before taking that decision," he said.
Responding to another question on the successful operation of Vande Bharat trains connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country despite recent heavy snowfall, he said the rail connectivity was a welcome step but added that the frequency of the trains and the number of coaches needed to be increased.
ìThe situation is that we are not able to get tickets for the Vande Bharat train. When Vande Bharat was announced, people thought that on days when flights are cancelled or highways are closed, we would simply board the train. But now I am told that I have to book tickets three to four months in advance, and only then might I get a seat on Vande Bharat. How am I supposed to know what the condition of the road will be four months from now?î CM Omar said.
He congratulated the Railways on the successful operation of the train but said, ìAlong with that, I have two requests ó first, the frequency of Vande Bharat should be increased; second, the length of the train should be extended. This is the shortest version of the train, with only eight coaches. Recently, I came to know that Vande Bharat trains with 16, 18, or even 20 coaches are being introduced. So let us not talk about 16 or 20 for now - at least increase it from eight to 12 coaches.î
MEHBOOBA ALSO WELCOMES MOVE
Peopleís Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the move.
She said the decision brings much-needed relief to Kashmirís agrarian economy.
ìThese projects threatened to destroy scarce fertile land and push over a million rural families into uncertainty. Development that uproots farmers is not progress. Any future plan must be reviewed transparently, with farmers and local communities taken on board, to protect Kashmirís economy and social fabric,î she posted on microblogging site 'X'.
